I started out my day working out at Griffith Park.  Walked the Golf Course and took a hike up the mountain.  This is a course I do quite often and I love it every time I do.  I love Griffith Park.  I  love this big huge park in the middle of this huge metropolis.  It took me twenty minutes to park at the Gene Autry museum because so many people were heading to the zoo.  Thousands of families all heading the day after the first day of the new year.  Kids, strollers, grandma, uncles, aunts, friends.  Waiting to get flagged into the parking lot and then off to see the animals.

I parked my car got out, turned my Ipod on, put my headphones in and I was off.  Got about a quarter way around and turned the IPOD off.    I wanted to hear the park.  I wanted to experience what I was out there actually experiencing.  I did not want to hear Bruce Springsteen as I walked my workout.  I wanted to hear the lizards scat as I walked by and dust up some dirt.  I wanted to hear the golfers laughing and joking.  I wanted to hear the traffic on the 5 freeway.  I wanted to hear the squirrels chase each other and watch them climb the fence.  I wanted to be present in what it was I was actually doing.   I wanted to be a part of the park as I was in the park.   It was magical. 

Here are my observations.  90% of the golfers looked to be of Asian descent.  There are many women who golf.  Some people walk the 18 holes most people take carts.  Cigars are smoked and there seems to be a lot of waiting around.  I guess they are all waiting for the parties ahead to finish their holes.  There are a lot of people who run all over that park.  On the streets, up the hills and around the course like I do.  Many people bring their dogs.  Most have little dogs.  What happened to big dogs?  I want to see some big dogs.  Everyone has little dogs.  I don't even know if these little dogs can make the 2 1/2 miles around.  I doubt it.

Horses come by every now and then, leaving their calling cards and move on.  The smell of the horses makes me feel good.  It is a familiar and safe smell one that conjures up memories of my childhood.  I feel good inside.   I watched some work men who look like they took their sons to work with them on their lunch break.  Sitting their, eating, sharing and enjoying themselves.  I thought to myself how lucky those boys were to be with their dads, sharing a moment.  

Drummers were drumming and soccer was played, bicyclist's rode and cars paraded through.  Families set up picnics and lovers laid together on blankets.  A man hung a punching bag and worked out all by himself.   Some people read, others played with their kids, and still some were practicing what appeared to be Thai chi possibly.   

What a mix match of people, places, and things.  I am so happy this park was made, maintained, that the people of this city come here every day and use it, love it and that this park will be here at long as mother earth is here.   

Tell me your experiences of Griffith park.  What do you love about it.

Looking forward to hearing other peoples stories. 

Moe